Portable cosmetic mirror apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable cosmetic mirror which includes a stand that may be adjusted to various heights for allowing a user to accurately position the mirror such that both hands may be utilized for cosmetic application, hairstyling, or the like. Alternate embodiments of the apparatus further include a hair dryer holding assembly for positioning a hair dryer for hands-free use with the mirror and a magnification assembly in which a magnifying lens is removably positioned upon the mirror.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mirrors and more particularly pertainsto a portable cosmetic mirror apparatus including a stand that may beadjusted to various heights for allowing a user to accurately positionthe mirror such that both hands may be utilized for cosmeticapplication, hairstyling, or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of mirrors is known in the prior art. More specifically, mirrorsheretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of personal grooming areknown to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structuralconfigurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by thecrowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment ofcountless objectives and requirements.

For example, a height-adjustable rear view hairstyling mirror isillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,382 which frees the user's hands andallows viewing the back of the head while using two hands forhairstyling purposes. The device includes a mirror attached to a framehaving three legs connected by hinges which allows the frame to closeflatly for storing against a wall. The mirror is vertically adjustableon the frame which has a number of spaced holes for hanging the mirrorby means of bolt heads extending out from the mirror's frame.

A self-styling and utility mirror with four surfaces is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,050,790 including four planar surfaces connected alongadjacent edges thereof such that the two outer surfaces are angularlymovable with respect to the two inner surfaces. The self-styling mirroris secured upon a vertical pole and is vertically movable up and downthe pole.

Another patent of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,612 which describes aback-of-the-head viewing system designed to function alongside anexisting mirror to provide a back-of-the-head view thereof. The unit iscomprised of a bracket having a vertical bar upon which is slidably androtatably mounted an arm having on one end thereof a suspended mirrorwhich may be positioned behind the head of a user.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives andrequirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a portablecosmetic mirror which may be adjusted to various heights for allowing auser to accurately position the mirror that includes a hair dryerholding assembly for positioning a hair dryer proximate the mirror and amagnification assembly in which a magnifying lens is removablypositioned upon the mirror. In this respect, the portable cosmeticmirror apparatus according to the present invention substantiallydeparts from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, andin so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose ofallowing a user to accurately position the mirror such that both handsmay be utilized for cosmetic application, hairstyling, or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofmirrors now present in the prior art, the present invention provides anew portable cosmetic mirror apparatus construction wherein the same canbe utilized to provide an accurately positioned mirror such that bothhands may be utilized for cosmetic application, hairstyling, or thelike. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which willbe described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which has many of the advantages ofthe mirrors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result ina portable cosmetic mirror apparatus which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art mirrors,either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a portablecosmetic mirror apparatus which includes a stand that may be adjusted tovarious heights for allowing a user to accurately position the mirrorsuch that both hands may be utilized for cosmetic application,hairstyling, or the like. The apparatus comprises a telescoping poleupon which a mirror is pivotally mounted. The telescoping pole issupported in an upright position by a base assembly having a pluralityof folding legs which, along with the telescoping pole, may be compactedfor storage and traveling purposes. Alternate embodiments of theapparatus further include a hair dryer holding assembly for positioninga hair dryer for hands-free use with the mirror and a magnificationassembly in which a magnifying lens is removably positioned upon themirror.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which has many of the advantages ofthe mirrors mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result ina portable cosmetic mirror apparatus which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art mirrors,either alone or in any combination thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new portablecosmetic mirror apparatus which may be easily and efficientlymanufactured and marketed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which is of a durable and reliableconstruction.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost ofmanufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and whichaccordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consumingpublic, thereby making such portable cosmetic mirror apparatuseseconomically available to the buying public.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which provides in the apparatuses andmethods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, whilesimultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associatedtherewith.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which includes a stand that may beadjusted to various heights.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new portablecosmetic mirror apparatus for allowing a user to accurately position themirror such that both hands may be utilized for cosmetic application,hairstyling, or the like.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a newportable cosmetic mirror apparatus which includes a hair dryer holdingassembly for positioning a hair dryer for hands-free use with themirror.

Even still yet another object of the present invention is to provide anew portable cosmetic mirror apparatus which includes a magnificationassembly in which a magnifying lens is removably positioned upon themirror.

Even still yet another object of the present invention is to provide anew portable cosmetic mirror apparatus which may be easily compacted fortravel and storage purposes.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a portablecosmetic mirror apparatus comprising the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of a portion of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, exploded view of further portion of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of an even further portion of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention detailing a motion of the legs.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a third embodiment of aportable cosmetic mirror apparatus comprising the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of thethird embodiment as viewed from line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-5thereof, a new portable cosmetic mirror apparatus embodying theprinciples and concepts of the present invention and generallydesignated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

The portable cosmetic mirror apparatus 10 comprises a mirror assembly 12positioned upon a telescoping pole 14 which is supported in an uprightposition by a base assembly 16, as best illustrated in FIG. 1. Themirror assembly 12 includes a substantially rectangular mirror frame 18which supports a flat mirror glass 20 partially therein. The mirrorframe 18 is pivotally mounted to a top of the telescoping pole 14 suchthat it may be pivoted with respect thereto. The telescoping pole 14comprises an upper member 22 to which the mirror frame 18 is pivotallyattached. The upper member is slidably received within a medial member24. Similarly, the medial member 24 is slidably received within a lowermember 26 which is supported in an upright position by the base assembly16. The sliding relationship between the members 22-26 allows thetelescoping pole 14 to be adjusted to various heights by a user.

The base assembly 16 comprises a plurality of legs 28 which arepivotally and slidably connected to the lower member 26 such that theymay be selectively extended or retracted by a user. By positioning themembers 22-26 within each other and folding the plurality of legs 28against the lower member 26, the portable cosmetic mirror apparatus 10may be compactly stored.

In use, the portable cosmetic mirror apparatus 10 may be erected by anextension of the plurality of legs 28 and a selective positioning of theupper member 22 and the medial member 24 to a desired height. The mirrorframe 18 and its associated mirror glass 20 may then be selectivelypivoted upon the upper member to an appropriate position. In thismanner, the portable cosmetic mirror apparatus 10 may be adjusted tovarious heights and angles for allowing a user to accurately positionthe mirror such that both hands may be utilized for cosmeticapplication, hairstyling, or the like. The design of the portablecosmetic mirror apparatus 10 further provides it with an ability to becompactly stored for traveling and the like.

More specifically, it will be noted that the portable cosmetic mirrorapparatus 10 comprises a mirror assembly 12 having a substantiallyrectangular mirror frame 18 which supports a mirror glass 20 in aviewing position partially therewithin. The mirror frame 18 comprises apair of L-shaped brackets 30, 32 which are fixedly secured to a backarea thereof in a spaced relationship. The first L-shaped bracket 30includes an unlabeled circular aperture therethrough and the secondL-shaped bracket 32 includes a square shaped aperture therethrough. Theupper member 22 of the telescoping pole 14 includes, at a top endthereof, a flattened area having a circular aperture 34 extendingtherethrough. The flattened area is operable to be received between theL-shaped brackets 30, 32, whereby a carriage bolt 36 may pass throughthe unlabeled apertures in the brackets and threadably engage a wing nut38 in a well understood manner. Once a desired position of the mirrorassembly 12 with respect to the telescoping pole 14 is found by a user,the position may be secured by a tightening of the wing nut 38 onto thecarriage bolt 36.

The mirror assembly 12 is supported by the telescoping pole 14 whichcomprises the upper, medial, and lower members 22-26 which are operableto be telescopically extended to various heights. To secure thetelescoping pole 14 at a desired height, the medial member 24 includes amedial lock 40 at a top end thereof which has a threaded medial lockaperture 42 extending therethrough, as best viewed in FIG. 2. A thumbscrew 44 is received through the threaded medial lock aperture 42whereby it may be selectively engaged to the upper member 22 to secure aposition thereof with respect to the medial member 24.

The lower member 26 includes a lower lock 46 at a top end thereof whichcomprises a through-extending slot and a pair of spaced tabs 50 havingunlabeled apertures therethrough. A cam 52 is secured between the tabs50 by a bolt 54 which passes through the same. The bolt 54 is engaged toa lock nut 56 which secures its position through both the tabs 50 andthe cam 52. A thumb lever 58 is integrally or otherwise fixedly securedto the cam 52 and is operable to selectively rotate the cam 52 about thebolt 54 in a well understood manner. The medial member 24 furthercomprises a journal 60 extending a longitudinal length thereof andhaving a plurality of grooves 62 integrally formed therein. The cam 52may be selectively operated by a user to engage any of the plurality ofgrooves 62 to secure a position of the medial member 24 with respect tothe lower member 26 by a pivoting motion of the thumb lever 58. Thisallows a secure position of the medial member 24 with respect to thelower member 26 to be obtained without a scratching or scarring of theexterior of the medial member and further precludes a rotationalmovement of the medial member with respect to the lower member.

The base assembly 16 comprises a slider 64 which is slidably disposedupon the lower member 26, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. An end cap 66is secured to a lower end of the lower member 26 and is similar inconstruction to the slider 64. A plurality of legs 28, the preferredembodiment comprising three of such legs, are attached to the slider 64in a spaced relationship along a circumference thereof. The plurality oflegs 28 include an equal number of supporting arms 68 which arepivotally mounted to the end cap 66. This arrangement allows theplurality of legs to be extended into a tripod arrangement as best shownin FIG. 4, or alternatively, folded flatly against the lower member 26as best illustrated in the phantom detail of FIG. 5. Each of theplurality of legs 28 includes a padded foot which protects a floorsurface upon which the portable cosmetic mirror apparatus 10 ispositioned from scarring. It should be realized that any number of legsmay be utilized to form the base assembly 16.

When the plurality of legs 28 are in the stored position against thelower member 26, a spring 72 engages the slider 64 to secure the same inthe stored position. The spring 72 is mounted in a recessed area 74 ofthe lower member 26 and secured thereto by a fastener 76, as bestillustrated in FIG. 5. The spring 72 is further operable to engage theslider 64 upon an extension of the plurality of legs 28 and secure thesame in an extended position.

A second embodiment of the present invention as generally designated bythe reference numeral 80, which comprises substantially all of thefeatures of the foregoing embodiment 10 and which further comprises aholding assembly 82 will now be described. As best shown in FIGS. 6, itcan be shown that holding assembly 82 comprises a holding arm 84 whichis pivotally connected to the upper member 22. The holding arm 84extends from the upper member 22 to an area substantially above themirror assembly 12 wherein it then extends outwardly therefrom topivotally support a resilient clamp 86 upon an end thereof. Theresilient clamp 86 is operable to releasably secure a hair appliance,such as a hair dryer 88, to the holding arm 84 whereby it may bepositioned for a hands-free use by a user.

Comprising substantially all of the features and structure of theprevious embodiments 10, 80 is a third embodiment which is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 90 and may be viewed in FIGS. 7-8.It can be shown that the third embodiment 90 further comprises amagnification assembly 92 that may be removably positioned upon themirror assembly 12 to provide a substantial magnification of the mirrorglass 20 therebeneath. The magnification assembly 92 comprises a lensframe 94 which secures and supports a magnifying lens 96 in a wellunderstood manner.

The magnifying lens 96 is comprised of any substantially transparentmaterial that is shaped in such a manner so as to provide amagnification of objects viewed therethrough. The lens frame ispivotally connected to a pair of lens arms 98 which are in turnpivotally secured to the mirror frame 18 such that the magnifying lens96 may be removably positioned upon the mirror glass 20 to hold themagnification assembly 92 securely against the mirror assembly 12. Aplurality of clips 100 are secured to the mirror frame 18 and areoperable to engage the lens frame 94 in a well understood manner.

As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, thesame should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, nofurther discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will beprovided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERSPATENT of the United States is as follows:
 1. A new portable cosmeticmirror apparatus comprising:a stand comprising a telescoping pole meanshaving a base means for supporting said telescoping pole means in asubstantially vertical orientation, said base means being coupled to alower end of said telescoping pole means, said telescoping pole meansbeing operable to be extended to various heights; a mirror pivotallycoupled to a top end of said telescoping pole means; a magnificationmeans pivotally coupled to said mirror for selectively magnifying saidmirror; and, a holding means pivotally coupled to a portion of saidtelescoping pole means for releasably holding a hair appliance proximalsaid mirror.
 2. The portable mirror apparatus of claim 1, wherein saidtelescoping pole means comprises an upper member slidably disposedwithin a medial member, said medial member being slidably disposedwithin a lower member, said lower member being coupled to said basemeans.
 3. The portable mirror apparatus of claim 2, wherein said basemeans comprises a slider positioned upon an exterior of said lowermember, an end cap secured to a lower end of said lower member, aplurality of legs pivotally coupled to said slider in a spacedrelationship theraround, and a plurality of supporting arms eachpivotally coupled to both said end cap and one of said plurality oflegs.
 4. A new portable cosmetic mirror apparatus comprising:a standcomprising a telescoping pole means for extending to various heights anda base means for supporting said telescoping pole means in asubstantially vertical orientation, said telescoping pole meanscomprising an upper member slidably disposed within a medial member,said medial member being slidably disposed within a lower member, withsaid lower member being coupled to said base means, and a locking meansfor selectively retaining said upper member relative to said medialmember and said medial member relative to said lower member, said basemeans comprising a slider positioned upon an exterior of said lowermember, an end cap secured to a lower end of said lower member, aplurality of legs pivotally coupled to said slider in a spacedrelationship theraround, and a plurality of supporting arms eachpivotally coupled to both said end cap and one of said plurality oflegs; a mirror pivotally coupled to a top end of said telescoping polemeans; a magnification means pivotally coupled to said mirror forselectively magnifying said mirror; and, a holding means pivotallycoupled to a portion of said telescoping pole means to releasablyholding a hair appliance proximal said mirror.